What are the xiangqi pieces called in Chinese?
These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.
Direct answer
Seven types, each written differently by the two sides. Black then Red: 將/帥 general (jiàng/shuài), 士/仕 advisor (shì), 象/相 elephant (xiàng), 馬/傌 horse (mǎ), 車/俥 chariot (jū), 砲/炮 cannon (pào), 卒/兵 soldier (zú/bīng).
The English names you will see
Translations vary and all are in use. The chariot is often called the rook or car; the horse is often the knight; the elephant is sometimes the minister or bishop; the advisor is sometimes the guard, mandarin or assistant; the soldier is often the pawn.
This site uses chariot, horse, elephant, advisor, cannon, soldier and general, which is the WXF convention and the one most literature follows.
A note on 車
In everyday Chinese 車 is read chē and means vehicle. As a xiangqi piece it is traditionally read jū. Both readings are heard from players; jū is the formal one.
Related questions
Why does each side write pieces differently?
To tell the sides apart at a glance. The characters are homophones or near-homophones and the pieces move identically.
What is xiangqi called in Vietnamese?
Cờ tướng. The pieces keep their Sino-Vietnamese names: Tướng, Sĩ, Tượng, Mã, Xe, Pháo, Tốt.
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